Elena Velasco found yoga through her work as a theatre and movement artist. For over 25 years she has worked in the performing arts industry as a director, choreographer, performer, and professor in the DMV and Greater Boston regions. Through such companies as Synetic Theatre and Convergence Theatre, she found that the fullest creative expression and connection was the result of the synthesis of the mind-body-consciousness. Yoga has helped her craft choreography that is more sustainable and gives performers greater agency over their bodies. Yoga informs her work in all disciplines, whether leading a vinyasa class at Bowie State University where she is an associate professor of theatre and movement, or establishing a healthy, mindful rehearsal process for movement-based performance. She completed her 200-hour teacher certification at Rising Sol Yoga School and is a member of Yoga Alliance. She believes yoga and the arts must be accessible and is passionate about holding space for a range of students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, and lived experiences. Along with her active professional life, she enjoys biking, hiking, and meditating, and is the proud mother of seven children, all who have various paths and passions.

I’m Nicole and I hope to hold space for those who want both a practice and a place to just be. I’m a 500hr yoga instructor and starting my trainings with Valerie Baltzer in Swansboro, NC. I continued to learn and assist in teacher trainings alongside Stacey Reynolds in Little Rock, Arkansas. I’m currently entering year two with JJ Gormley in a 900hr training to become a Certified Yoga Therapist. All of my trainings have been deeply infused with the heart of yoga, all of them connected with the Krishnamacharya lineage. I have been teaching for nine years and my favorite thing about yoga is that I can do the same poses, the same way, every single day, and be blessed with an entirely new practice every-time I show up. That’s a true gift. I specialize in gentle and vinyasa based classes, both with the focus on accessibility, alignment, moving meditation and allowing the yoga to meet you where you are. We are a military family, so yoga travels well with me! I have a son, two dogs and a career I can infuse with creativity and passion. I’m a writer, self published author and professional organizer! I believe in the healing power of connection, holding space and cultivating community. How we move and breathe is how we show up in life. I desire to teach those who want to connect with their inner magic. Who trust that change requires patience and process and those that see the beauty in the shadow of things. I strive to ignite a sense of clarity and spark to those on an inner journey to the heart. Class Description:

Anissa is a passionate and devoted yoga instructor with more than eight years of experience in offering uplifting, empowering, and inclusive classes and workshops to students of all levels. She teaches a variety of styles—including Vinyasa, Hatha, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, and Yoga Nidra—through group and private classes, corporate wellness programs, and special events. Drawing from her many years of dance training, Anissa’s classes weave together creative sequencing, encouragement, and a touch of humor to support students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music and nature inspire her teaching, creating a sense of playfulness, freedom, and joy on the mat. A lifelong student of yoga, Anissa maintains a dedicated personal practice, and has had the pleasure of exploring yoga all around the world—from sandy beaches to ocean liners to ashrams—deepening her devotion to the practice and its ability to connect us with fellow yogis everywhere. Beyond teaching, Anissa brings a wealth of life experience to her work. She is an Army Veteran who served nearly a decade as an active duty attorney, a professional actor, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. A graduate of Williams College and Cornell Law School, she strives to bring curiosity, creativity, and compassion to everything she does.

Anissa is a passionate and devoted yoga instructor with more than eight years of experience in offering uplifting, empowering, and inclusive classes and workshops to students of all levels. She teaches a variety of styles—including Vinyasa, Hatha, Gentle, Restorative, Yin, and Yoga Nidra—through group and private classes, corporate wellness programs, and special events. Drawing from her many years of dance training, Anissa’s classes weave together creative sequencing, encouragement, and a touch of humor to support students’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music and nature inspire her teaching, creating a sense of playfulness, freedom, and joy on the mat. A lifelong student of yoga, Anissa maintains a dedicated personal practice, and has had the pleasure of exploring yoga all around the world—from sandy beaches to ocean liners to ashrams—deepening her devotion to the practice and its ability to connect us with fellow yogis everywhere. Beyond teaching, Anissa brings a wealth of life experience to her work. She is an Army Veteran who served nearly a decade as an active duty attorney, a professional actor, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. A graduate of Williams College and Cornell Law School, she strives to bring curiosity, creativity, and compassion to everything she does.

Melanie has been teaching yoga since 2015 after completing her 200-hour YTT through Evolve Yoga & Wellness / Nosara Yoga Institute. She is a certified Pilates teacher through Balanced Body and is certified in Reiki level II. She holds a bachelor in psychology. Her classes are fluent and feel good. They consistently move using dynamic movements. They are accessible for anyone as she offers modifications and detailed ques for structural alignment. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, spending time with others and her pup.

Delia has been teaching yoga for 14 years and practicing yoga for 18+ years. After practicing and teaching a Vinyasa-style class for many years, her passion for gentle and restorative yoga is now her primary offering. When she experienced the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer in 2013, she relied on her home practice, Gentle and Restorative classes, during her recovery process. YOGA became an essential part of her healing and strength recovery. Having a steady yoga practice before cancer, she was better prepared to meet her challenge head-on. She is passionate about sharing yoga as a tool to expand one's life and encourage health, wellness, and creativity one pose at a time! She creates a light-hearted environment where she encourages students to think less and feel more! Her 200hr training in 2010 included influences from the Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Viniyoga traditions. Delia is a native Alexandrian and loves practicing yoga outside, surrounded by nature, or on her Standup paddleboard any chance she gets.

Melanie has been teaching yoga since 2015 after completing her 200-hour YTT through Evolve Yoga & Wellness / Nosara Yoga Institute. She is a certified Pilates teacher through Balanced Body and is certified in Reiki level II. She holds a bachelor in psychology. Her classes are fluent and feel good. They consistently move using dynamic movements. They are accessible for anyone as she offers modifications and detailed ques for structural alignment. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, spending time with others and her pup.

Tess studied ballet growing up and through college, and was introduced to yoga and Pilates as part of a health and wellness transformation beginning in 2003. She has been teaching yoga and Pilates since then. Her classes focus on functional movement, body awareness, balance, alignment and breath. Tess received her Pilates training with Physical Mind, her yoga training at Tranquil Space and Barre training at Barre Body. She completed her training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the fall of 2023 and is currently studying Polarity therapy.

Tess studied ballet growing up and through college, and was introduced to yoga and Pilates as part of a health and wellness transformation beginning in 2003. She has been teaching yoga and Pilates since then. Her classes focus on functional movement, body awareness, balance, alignment and breath. Tess received her Pilates training with Physical Mind, her yoga training at Tranquil Space and Barre training at Barre Body. She completed her training in biodynamic craniosacral therapy in the fall of 2023 and is currently studying Polarity therapy.